Entering at IG - conflicting advice?

[1st*toright]

I'm planning to hit Epcot one evening - planning to enter at the IG and work our way through to the front of the park. I've heard conflicting advice about the best place to start the walk from - Beach Club or Boardwalk? Planning to Lyft/Uber/whatever to one of the hotels and then walk. We likely won't spend any other time in/near the Epcot resorts, so I'm trying to consider which will be a nicer and/or shorter.

Help!

 

[patty57]

Beach Club is a shorter walk.

 

[hiroMYhero]

From Beach Club, follow the path that's close to the water and you won't have to walk up the overpass...its much shorter and less crowded.

 

[HopperFan]

Both 3/10 of a mile from the drop off point to the International Gateway. I would likely choose Boardwalk because the drop off point is right off LBV Drive whereas Beach Club you have to take Epcot Resorts Blvd all the way back to Beach Club.

 

[Accident]

I do this a lot and spent a lot of time researching it....

• Both are exactly the same walking distance or within 5-6 feet of each other.
• Beach Club you can take the path that stays water height under the bridge (stay right and go under the bridge when the pathway starts to ramp up).
• Beach club walk is in full sun the entire walk. Boardwalk has a lot of sun but not the entire walk.
• beach club has 3 entrances from the road, 1 for buses, cast and the third is guests. uber/lyft sometimes has a problem figuring out how to get in (more important when getting picked up than dropped off).
• Boardwalk you'll need to take steps down from the drop off point but there is an elevator very close by if needed.
• Boardwalk is closer to the entrance to the resort loop so it'll be a slightly shorter (which might be slightly cheaper but not much) fare.
• boardwalk has the bakery, pizza stand, ice cream shop, espn zone and sometimes the other boardwalk like stands opened after epcot close, can be a great place to just relax a little more, especially when star wars fireworks are after epcots as you can kind of see the high altitude over the building from lake side in a seat. (sometimes the performers are also still out until midnight.. can add a hair more magic to the evening when epcot closed to early for you.) there is also a variety of adult beverage choices there too with a couple that stay opened until 2am like jellyrolls)
• Before 11am all rides including FEA are a shorter walk from the front entrance of epcot.
• After 11am, only future world + mexico rides are shorter walk from the front. It's not a little shorter, you'll be at the rides before you even get to the IG to get in if you use the front.

 

[gap2368]

@Robo has a great map of it here https://www.disboards.com/threads/wdw-maps-by-robo.3545729/#post-56460969

It should be the 3ed one down, unless it is at the table of content page then it is going places and then the 3 one down.

 

[WEDWDW]

It isn't enough of a difference either way to spend more that one second contemplating IMHO!lol

I would just flip a coin and go with it.

 

[cigar95]

I'll add one more thing to Acc's list:
- from the Boardwalk, you get a very nice view across the water to the BC/YC complex.
(Granted the converse is also true, but I find it a less enjoyable view.)

 

[OKW Lover]

I think that BC is closer, but the difference is not very much. I'd decide by how likely you would want to stop by one of the shops/restaurants along the way at BW, otherwise, go for BC.

 

[Takket]

Beach Club is shorter and doesn't have the bridge/hill to go over

 

[Accident]

Beach Club is shorter and doesn't have the bridge/hill to go over

Parts of beach club are like the club level rooms but from guest dropoff to IG, it's only a little less. You've also spend more time and money in your hired car to get to beach club. for me, boardwalk makes more sense

 

[1st*toright]

Wow - thanks for all of the thoughtful responses. Sounds like either is a viable option, hence the conflicting info! We don't have any mobility issues, so I'm thinking Boardwalk may win because there may be a smidgen of shade on the way and the overall trip may be a smidgen faster (a little less car time and about the same walk time). Thanks!